1990 190e 2.6 Overheats
 

Hi Guys,

I have a chance to buy a 190e 2.6 that overheats after 20 mins of driving. Do these cars commonly need head gaskets? Complete heads? Anything else that I can check *very* easily? I don't think the seller will let me have it inspected... given the price....

Any help would be appreciated!

radiatior fans ? are they working in the right direction ? i.e. they should blow the air from the outside to inside the engine compartment. These cars are quite expensive to mantain, you dont want to start with such a problem.

Defective magnetic clutch or temp. sensor for main fan, defective auxiliary fan or temp. sensor, or maybe a defective thermostat?

sounds like a thermostat that is broken half way open and therefore a big restriction.

david - could that be why it only overheats after 20 mins of driving? Does it take 20 mins for the coolant to reach full temp?

the heads are not particularly known for breaking or the headgaskets for failing.

it it is a bad headgasket you should be seeing bubbles in the radiator, and or oil in the water or water in the oil. oil in the water will float on top. water in the oil will look foamy.

unless it is free, no reason you shouldn't be able to get a prepurchase inspection.

good luck

tom w

it's not quite free... $1000.... with a bit of rust... I'm very hesitant, but I'd like to try out a 190e 2.6 at some point in my life....

the answer to your question is yes.i have seen very few european thermostats fail completely when they go bad they get stuck half open.this causes very slow warm up in cold weather and obvious issues in hot.

exactly why would you spend 1k for an overheating rust bucket?

in Montreal, the term 'rust bucket' is in varying stages.... if the floor is ok, that is a start.... My 97 Ranger has a fair amount of rust, but is solid... I think i'll stay away from it... I don't need another money pit!